Since the release of their debut 2021 album Within Each Lies The Other, Buckinghamshire quintet As Everything Unfolds have become a staple name in the UK metal scene. A Heavy Music Award nominated band who have had their name plastered across several UK festivals, As Everything Unfolds are one of those bands who have grown organically and naturally the hard work paying off, as the band have gone from accomplishment to success in such a short space of time.
But following up their first album with a sophomore effort can come with its hurdles. Delivering the high standard set by the first and proving their are not a one hit wonder just two years after their debut. As Everything Unfolds prove they can smash through the glass ceiling of second album syndrome. Releasing their sophomore effort Ultraviolet and contrary to the dictionary definition of the words itself, As Everything Unfolds are super humans, seeing beyond the purple hazed wavelength for an album that radiates a full colour spectrum of emotion.
Seeing in colour straight away, the band induces us all with different hues of glowing violet in self-titled album opener “Ultraviolet”. Immediately we are hit with a lightly coloured purple nu metal edge, reminiscent of early Linkin Park, before the track takes a violent violet turn, vocalist Charlie Rolfe unleashing some unapologetic screams. The song is a stunning middle ground between sonic majesty and lyrical intensity, the song dominant in terms of taking back control as this new version As Everything Unfolds has become, bigger, brighter and so much bolder.
Perhaps the strengths that shine the deepest shades of indigo on the album can be seen in the singles. “Felt Like Home” floats on an synthy rock ethereal atmosphere that send shivers down your spine at its daring attitude to expose your vulnerabilities by pushing yourself outside of you home comforts. Whereas “Slow Down” glides on cruise control, Rolfe’s soaring clean vocals that emulate Paramore’s Hayley Williams to her impassioned intense screams that fall in the realm of Employed To Serve’s Justine Jones present a vocal range to be reckoned with. And “Blossom” encapsulated everything As Everything Unfolds evoke with their soundscape that there is in fact beauty in heaviness. The band blossom into a beautiful bouquet of lavender in their emotion driven anthem “Blossom”, before “Flip Side” comes in with a straight up post hardcore banger, gutturals and screams in total abundance.
As Everything Unfolds are a band that have the ability to go from strength to strength and with the exception of the weaker and perhaps unnecessary “Infrared”. Serving as the albums breathing space interlude, the rest of the record sees As Everything Unfolds at the peak of their genre defying strength. “Saint Or Rogue” slides into showcasing this bands ability to write a commercial pop rock song. “Twilight” is the eclipse of this album, dark eerie verses and a pummelling pre chorus shining brighter than a full moon. Likewise, “Rose Bouquet” puts the guitars in full bloom and “Daylight” shines a bright ray of sunshine on some stunning keyboard flourishes and lyrics that resonate to deep emotive effect.
Adding one more shade of purple to their ultraviolet display, album closer “All I’ve Ever Known” is everything As Everything Unfolds have never known as a band, experimenting with infectious indie rock choruses that lush this band outside of their own metal based remit.
Like a wavelength of Ultraviolet the album comes to an end and as a body of work, Ultraviolet sees As Everything Unfolds shining with a new found confidence and charisma, their purple hue brimming even brighter than their deep shades of red they exhibited on Within Each Lies The Other.
Ultraviolet by As Everything Unfolds is out now via Long Branch Records. Get the album here.
